Wiring Advice Needed Please!

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Hey Guys

I am ready to do my wiring for the subtank gauge. As per Dans earlier recommendation i am going to tap into the wires at the sunroof switch so as not to have to run wire all through the truck.

I was thinking of the following:

Wire # 6 = Red / Yellow Stripe = From The Fuel Tank Sender
****** Running this directly to the sending unit

Wire # 5 = Grey = Ground For Gauge
****** either tapping into the ground wire for the sunroof, or trying to find a place near near the sunroof switch to file down to bare metal and connect a seperate ground. Your thoughts?

Wire # 4 = Black / Grey Stripe = Ground For The Lights
****** either tapping into the ground wire for the sunroof, or trying to find a place near near the sunroof switch to file down to bare metal and connect a seperate ground. Your thoughts?

Wire # 3 = Green / Blue = + For The Lights
****** Tap into the sunroof 12+ wire

Wire # 2 = Blue / Red Stripe = + 12V For The Gauge
****** Tap into the sunroof 12+ wire

Wire # 1 = No Wire

Your thoughts on this? Good idea? Stupid idea? Any ideas? I would prefer to not have to run wires all the way down the pillar if i dont have to.

Also, what is the best way to actually splice into a wire? Remove some of the covering and solder right to it, or use those little plastic clamping things that bridge them together? I have never done this before!

Any feedback it good!

Thanks
Kevin

 

[goodtimes]

Not quite sure of any specifics to your install....but, I do have one recommendation. Do NOT tap into any of the factory wires, for anything, unless you FULLY understand the operating conditions of that circuit, and branch circuits you might affect (both downstream and upstream). Just because it has +12vdc does not mean it is OK to "steal" power from that line...it could be providing a analog signal to *something*, it could be providing source voltage for something that is sensitive high current, and is therefor fused for that application.

As for tapping wires, I prefer soldering them and then adding some heat shrink around the splice.

Be careful tapping into ground wires....modern vehicles will often times run ground wires back through the PCM/ECM/whateverCM, particularly with control or monitoring systems. Not sure about a sunroof though....best to look it up in the Factory Service Manual and verify...

Of course, if you already figured all that stuff out...then you just wasted 30 seconds of your life reading my post. hehehe.....

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Thanks

You make good points!

I am just going to run the wires down the pillar, its a PITA but will be cleaner and safer!

Thanks

 

[asteffes]

It also helps to keep tabs on your color-coding scheme. Add a page to your service manual and write down descriptions and schematics of all the wiring you add to your vehicle. Documentation makes troubleshooting along the road much easier.

 

[goodtimes]

It also helps to keep tabs on your color-coding scheme. Add a page to your service manual and write down descriptions and schematics of all the wiring you add to your vehicle. Documentation makes troubleshooting along the road much easier.

Yes. That is a very good point that is often overlooked.

 

[BajaTaco]

GT is just paranoid. (J/K)

Have you tried to determine if anyone else has successfully used the sunroof wiring? As you say, it sure would make the install more simple. However, I do agree with GT in that you would need to verify some things to make sure all of your ducks are in a row before starting. If there is any way you can get a hold of a service manual, you may be able to decipher the wiring schematic for that circuit. If it's a simple circuit with sufficient power and a ground to chassis, then it's probably not a big deal.

I think your list of wiring connections is okay, but I would consider the following:

Wire #3 - you will want to connect this to a wire that is only hot when you turn on the lights to your gauge cluster. Otherwise the light will be on whenever there is power to the sunroof wire. So this one, you may have to run in the pillar to the dash lights somewhere.

Wire #2 - you will need to verify that this sunroof power wire is active when you have the ignition on (not active only when the sunroof switch is on). If it is active (hot) all the time, I wouldn't connect to it, as it will be a parasitic drain when the vehicle is turned off (albeit a small one).

Wires 4 and 5 - I think tapping an existing ground is fine, so long as the ground wire being considered is large enough to support the added circuits. (verify amps required by all circuits)

Adam has an excellent point about keeping track of your elec. additions. It will also be helpful if you can take a piece of tape, and write what the wire is for on the tape, and double it around the wire as a label/tab for physical reference for anyone who happens to be messing with those wires in the future (most likely you).

 

[goodtimes]

GT is just paranoid. (J/K)


It will also be helpful if you can take a piece of tape, and write what the wire is for on the tape, and double it around the wire as a label/tab for physical reference for anyone who happens to be messing with those wires in the future (most likely you).

Paranoid? Naw....but I have "inherited" more than one butchered wiring job, where proper installation would have avoided me having to COMPLETELY gut the machine, and start from scratch.

Tape works...but it is so.....uh...."rednecky". Everyone should have a decent wire-label printer, like this one

and run some decent quality wire marker sleeves (heat shrink sleeves) through it.

:wavey:

 

[BajaTaco]

Paranoid? Naw....but I have "inherited" more than one butchered wiring job...

Whoa. Looks like you inherited something else too... an $800 label machine?? Must be nice! I am stuck with my redneck tape Even a cheapy label maker would be nice... but that thing?? Shazam!

 

[goodtimes]

Mine isn't as fancy as that one (which retails for close to your $800 guess). Mine was MUCH less...it does not use a thermal transfer process like the new ones. But as long as I keep chemicals away from the labels, they hold up pretty well. And the heat shrink sleeves are just too cool....

 

[calamaridog]

Kevin,

When are you going to work on the sub tank install? Have you put the tank in place yet? Or are you doing the wiring first?

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Thanks Guys!

I aborted that idea of tapping into the sunroof motor because of fear of damaging the headliner! I was however, able to run the 3 wires down the door pillar almost invisibly and get them to the fusebox!

Thanks for all the input and advice!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Kevin,

When are you going to work on the sub tank install? Have you put the tank in place yet? Or are you doing the wiring first?

Hey Bryan

I am doing all of the wiring and such first! The tank shipped from oz yesterday and should be here in a month or so! Woo Hoo! Yes, i will take you up on your offer to assist in the install! It is one heavy and awkward unit! I look forward to this mod!